Traveling-wave tube slow-wave structure with integral conductively-loaded barrel and method of making same

摘要

An integral conductively-loaded encasing barrel for a slow-wave structure is formed by electrical discharge machining a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending slots in the interior surface of the barrel. The machining discharge is established between a portion of the interior surface of the barrel and an electrode wire which is moved in a longitudinal direction within the barrel while the barrel is moved in a preselected manner in a plane transverse to the direction of movement of the wire. A subassembly comprising a slow-wave structure and a plurality of longitudinally disposed electrically insulating support rods in contact with and circumferentially spaced about the outer surface of the slow-wave structure is secured within the barrel with the support rods disposed within respective machined slots. The radially inwardly projecting portions of the barrel between the slots provide integral conductive loading for the slow-wave structure.